a 4 Net Sale Series Circulation 60.550 THE CHRONICLE, SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1949 The Chronicle July 16, 1949 The official statement on the dollar crisis is vague and inconclusive, declares "The Daily Mail." Ask a striking docker to base his approach to existing problems 'upon full recognition of their profound and 1 long-term character' and see how he leaps back to work! It is meaningless to talk about an aggravation of deep-seated maladjustments' to go-slow railwayman. He only knows he has a deep-seated grievance about his pay." To bring home the gravity of the economic crisis to the uninstructed in economics is difficult admittedly. To those manual workers well content with their full employment, rates of pay, and hours of work, the economic crisis is something perhaps for financial pundits to worry about, but not for them. Yet it the "dollar crisis" threatens to end the "good times" enjoyed now, then it is something for every worker in the land to feel concerned about. And not only to feel concerned about, but to do something about.
One fact intelligible to everybody is that for the export market, now competition has returned, British goods are too dear. Exports are not paying for imports from the dollar areas. Sir Hartley Shawcross told New Yorkers last month that Britain is only earning eight shillings out of every twenty spent in dollar countres Down must come costs of production if British goods are to find markets. That does not necessarily mean reducing salaries and wages. But it does mean giving better value for salaries and wages.
It means also efficient management, -to-date plants, the development, to the highest pitch of our technical skills, and perhaps overhauling our system of overseas salesmanship. Two problems-an internal, and an external one -have to be solved. The internal one is the easier to understand. British goods, as "The Man. chester Guardian" put it this week, have been becoming steadily less competitive.
In the first quarte: of 1948 the average price of our exports was 144 per cent. higher than in 1937, while American exports were only 95 per cent. dearer. By the end of the year the increase for us had risen to 155 per cent over 1937 prices, while for the United States it had dropped to 89 per cent. The gap has gone on widening since.
Whatever may be the success in maintaining world demand by full employment policies, there is no possibility of Britain competing on these terms. We can begin to change our trading policies only if we first get down the costs and prices of our manufactures." And how far, it may be asked, will high prices put a brake on home trade? In a striking article in last week's Economist it was stated that British costs of production are too high, not merely for the dollar market or for overseas markets in general: they are too high for the British market To give simple illustration of this, adds The Economist." an attempt has been made to estimate roughly how many weeks the average British wage-earner would have to work for his wages, (after tax) to equal the price of five standard Britishmade objects, before the war and now. These are the results: Pre-War, Now. Weeks. Weeks.
Standard Council house 112 213- Cheapest British car 39 55 Cheapest motor-cycle 114.. 178 Cheapest man's suit 5 Cheapest radio set 31.. All this may be said to be, and of course is, an over view, and concerns only our internal economy. The international aspect involves the whole intricate pattern of 'international trade, and whether changes are needed -for instance, from bilateral to multilateral trading, and whether the new situation calls for relaxation of controls and import restrictions. Sir Stafford Cripps is inflexibly opposed to devaluing the pound, and more can be said at the moment against, than for, devaluation.
It is, however, difficult problem. The four conclusions which, accord. ing to the City editor of "The Daily Telegraph," have emerged from the talks between Mr. Snyder, Mr. Abbott, and Sir Stafford Cripps are: The Marshall Plan is recognised as only stage in long term process of commercial readjustment.
A return to multilateral trade and the maintenance of a high level of employment are set as the objective, not merely the independence of Britain and Europe from extraordinary external assistance by 1952. The review of policies to attain' this objective must include reconsideration of the United States tartit policy and large scale. American overseas investments, as well as internal measures by Britain and other countries concerned to increase their productivity and the competitive value of their products. "Immediate dollar import cuts by the sterling area appear to be inevitable. Steps to ameliorate their stringency will be considered by the United States and Canada.
These may Include: Relaxation of the non-discrimination provisions of the 1945 Anglo American Loan Agreement; Renewed stockpiling, by the United States of those raw materials which are the sterling area's main dollar earners, rubber, tin; cocoa, wool and diamonds; Measures by Canada to stimulate purchases of British exports. Devaluation of the. stetling is' ruled out, at least for the Immediate future. Both sides recon. nise that without complementary internal measures in the United Kingdom this would achieve nO permanent improvement." Whether or not these internal measures, which would include sweeping economies in Government expenditure, ought to be put into effect is an internal political issue (says the Daily Telegraph's City editor), which the Opposition will raise in the House of Commons when the economic crisis is debated.
With taxation its present appalling level and Britain, as "The Daily Mail bluntly puts it, nearly broke," lavish spending cannot possibly be justified. and can only denote irresponsibility. Mr. Strachey (Minister of Food), who visited East Africa recently to inspect the ground nuts scheme, explained to the House of Commons this week taat the yields at Kongwa would be low this year owing to the drought. When Mr.
Oliver Stanley asked what the scheme would mean to the individual consumer of fats, he replied that it would only be few thousand tons this year. Looking ahead, however, the Minister seems hopeful. Sir John D. Barlow, M.P. for the Eddisbury Division of Cheshire, also spent part of the Parliamentary recess inspecting the ground-nuts scheme, and an article in the Manchester Guardian embodies his conclusions.
Eighteen months have elapsed since his last visit, so he was able to compare conditions and assess the progress made. The original White Paper, says Sir John, counted 00 clearing 3,200,000 acres in six years at a cost of £25,000,000. That, he declares, was always an impossibility and complete nonsense, but it must be remembered that those were the estimates which were com, piled by the Wakefield Commission and accepted by the Government. The present position, he says, is that after two years' work approximately 120,000 acres have been cleared, instead of 600,000, and about £25,000,000 has been spent. The present rate of expenditure is probably £1,000,000 a month, almost all of which will be on capital account.
If a commercial concern, says Sir John, had submitted such a prospectus, harsh criticism would have followed and probably something worse." This scheme, which was put forward 00 purely commercial grounds to relieve the tat shortage, has entirely changed, Sir John explains, into colonial development experiment which will probably produce some food in timebut not yet. The project, he adds, is not being run on purely commercial lines, and much of its expenditure should be more appropriately charged to the Colonial Office. Part of the medical service, postal facilities, some of the roads, schools, and many other things are being wrongly paid by the corporation. It is strange, he thinks. that the Ministry of Food should be conducting such an enormous colonial development experiment.
One wonders whether the money could not have been spent more effectively by building roads and dams and providing water and facilities for other people to open land and produce crops." The up conclusions of the Member for Eddisbury are these: He admits that many men engaged in the scheme are Arst class in their OWD sphere, and one must recognise their ability and achievement. But there is DO doubt that, judged by commencial tion standards, the project is uneconomic; and the housewives at home are likely to be disappointed by the small shipments of fats for a long time to come." Perhaps the British taxpayer, who is footing the bill, may have some ideas on the matter Sir John drily adds. PERSONAL Princess Elizabeth presided at meeting of the Royal Society of Arts on Monday and presented the Albert Medal of the Society to Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The Earl of Shaftesbury is indisposed and will be unable to attend to correspondence for the next few weeks. Lord Shaftesbury is brotherin-law of the Duke of Westminster, whose sister (Lady Constance Grosvenor), he married.
The Rev. Robert L. Armitage, cider son of Mr. and Mrs. John Armitage, of The Mount.
Hartford, Northwich, now at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Newland Glasgow, I.as been appointed assistant priest at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. B.C Mrs. Sarah Ann Bathgate, of Weaver Holt, Acton, who died on January 24th, widow of James Bathgate, left £16,620 15s. 2d.
(gross), £16,555 136. 2d. (net). (Duty paid £1,662.) She left £50 to Dr. Geoffrey Shaw, late of Weaverham, a token of my thanks to Her wedding ring and her husband's and the residue EST her daughter.
wedding ring: Dr. Barnardo's Homes. numerous other bequests, Mre. Catherine B. Barton, of Lawnfield, Swanlow-lane.
Winsford. Probate has been granted to her daughter, Evelyn E. Griffiths, of The Cottage, Mill Willaston, and William J. Shield. of 14, Cookstreet, Liverpool, solicitor, Dr.
Lionel James Picton, O.B.E, B.M.. B.Ch., of Saddlers Close, Holmes Chapel, hon. secretary of the section of Medical- Sociology at the meeting of the Association at Oxford in 1936. surgeon and registrar. to the Baltic and Corn Exchange Calais, 1914-15, member of the Council for Church and Countryside, and of the Liverpool Medical Institution, who, in addition to being a country doctor was an agriculturist, an expert on soils and foods, and a keenly observant 19th- sociologist, last, who died on November 3d.
aged (gross). 74 years, left £16.119 19s. £15,308 13s. 4d. (net).
Probate has been granted to his widow and Thomas F. Fletcher. Crown Chambers, Bridge-street, Salisbury. Notes and Comments The pleasantest sound that could fall upon our ears at this moment -but 1 write on Wednesday, and by evening we may have a changewould be the sound of splashing rain. The thirsty earth is crying out for it.
the fruit trees are shedding much of their bumper loads for lack of it. the cornfields are tur ing sickly yellow, the meadows are brown, and all for the want of the blessed element, water. everybody would keep a washtub in the yard in which to collect the surplus from the kitchen and turn it into their gardens, some of the crops might still be saved, especially the plums. One year I watched an almost full-grown crop wither and fall through dryness- condition that was never allowed to happen again. Plums can take all the water they can get.
and will not object to kitchen slops. A prolonged drought brings many casualties in the bird and animal kingdoms. Last Saturday a friend of mine was cyciing along the Bostock road when he saw a small hedgehog rolling along the main road in utter disregard of the traffic. He picked it up and took it home. The little animal gorged himself on bread and milk, and after walk around the premises.
escaped into the garden A search for him drew blank and was given up as hopeless. My friend was sitting out in the garden a couple of hours later when the hedgehog turned up again- his shoe. He was given more water and then he disappeared again into the high grass. Next morning he back again, in almost the exact spot. and he stayed around all dav exploring the "jungle" and returning to the doorstep for water occasionally.
At dusk he took off and was not seen again. A few winters ago another hedgehog knocked on the door of this same house one wild night by flinging himself at the door panels until somebody appeared. This fellow, too, lapped up saucer of warm bread and milk and then disappeared. But he did not repeat the visit. The hot spell has brought bumper business for Winsford's open -air Baths and no doubt the younger element are hopeful that the fine weather will continue throughout the school holidays.
Winsford need have no worries about its domestic water supply, which, fortunately, comes from boreholes, but farmers in the district have cause for great concern over the welfare of the crops. One farmer to whom talked the other day said if the drought was not broken in the very near future, it would be a serious matter indeed, not so much for grain which, in most cases, "had obtained a good hold before the hot spell came, but for potatoes and roots Potatoes, particularly, are making little headway and much more than a shower--and that right soon -will be needed of the crop is to approach anything like original expectations. Even the fish in the river Weaver are finding the heat well nigh unbearable judging by appearances in the past few weeks. On several occasions recently I have walked along the river bank between New Bridge and Vale Royal and have watched shoals of fish basking near the surface and occasionally taking a gulp of air. The warmth of the water is apparently affecting its oxygen content and certainly is making fish lethargic and disinclined to snap at bait proffered by local anglers -if the weights recorded in competitions are anything to go by.
Sport for anglers, however has occasionally been quite good. One of my acquaintances caught 22 dace the other night--and shortly after landing one specimen choice enough to take away, saw it snapped up off the bank by a huge water rat, which, apparently, knew no fear in thus finding its supper. Middlewich Urban Council members meeting in committee this week, went in for "shirt sleeved to use an army term, and revealed as nice a range of colourful braces as one could wish to see. Even the chairmen were in opennecked shirts. But there was little "heat" about the debates which were mostly on routine matters, but were still interesting to press representatives making their first appearance during the committee stages.
The best news emanating from the meetings was an offerpromptly accepted--by the Ministry of Health to allocate 25 aluminium bungalows to the Council for the housing of persons working in the export trade. It would have been even better had not the Minister's letter revealed that the material for the bungalows. has been bought from dollar areas. The question now is: Will the extra production for export to hard currency areas brought about by this new housing scheme pay the cost of the bungalows? Now that Middlewich Council have seen fit to admit the Press to committee meetings, I feel the time is ripe for renewal of the plea that Winsford Urban Council takes the same step. As at Middlewich, all the members of the Winsford authority sit on the main standing committees, so that there is really little need fer debate when decisions are confirmed in open Council One member of the Winsford Councu has gone so far as to tell me that' he rarely raises voice at the open meeting because it is a waste of time" as all, that has been said on the matters before the Council has been said in Committee.
That is one of the reasons why news about Council. affairs is not as plentiful as it. should be. The answer is to admit the Press to committee meetings, or to cut committee membership down considerably SO that explanations and debate recommendations precedes the confirmation of in the presence of the press. feel it is time, too, that we heard something more of what is going on in relation to the smoke nuisance in Winstord's town centres.
Months have elapsed, but still black (Continued in Next Column) Stench From Derelict Shops Is "Terrible," Alleges Councillor STRONG ALLEGATIONS about shops the junction Middlewich, were made by meeting of Middlewich Urban Committee. "I am informed that the stench from these premises is terrible," been he made said. to me that they "Complaints are being used as Costello a public (Sanitary. convenience." Mr. F.
tor) said he understood that owner of the shops proposed had to carry out alterations to them and gone so those far as plans to had have not plans been submitted prepared, but to the Council. Mr. J. Moss: In the meantime this nuisance could be prevented having the shops securely fastened. The shop doors are open.
"BURST OPEN AGAIN" Stating that the owner's proposals were to demolish the top floors of for the two premises around floor shops, Mr. and to submit plans go Costello to the said County for approval in such plans would have to of the fact that the property fronted county road. have seen owner's agent but asked him to secure the premises they have He has now promised to have the apparently been burst open again. gates and the shop doors fastened with six inch nails." that if the Mr. Costello added nuisance continued the only legal course open to the Council was to take the owner before the Magistrates on the grounds that the property detrimental was in a to ruinous local state amenities.
and was MINISTRY INTERESTED The Surveyor (Mr. R. J. B. Wilkinson) suggested that the Ministry of Transport might be interested in for the property as there was the need spot.
street improvements at Before an approach was made to the be Ministry, however, it would necessary for the Council to decide to whether they would be prepared share the cost of acquiring the property. Costello: The owner savs he is willing to sell the property to the Council at the price he paid it for it. A member: Yes. but has deteriorated since then. the condition of two derelict Queen street Hightown, Mr.
J. A. Powell at Monday's Council's Health and Sewerage After the further Sanitary discussion, Inspector to action stop taken the by nuisance was approved. NEW SEWERAGE SCHEME The urgent scheme to cover the necessity for new sewerage Middlewich district was emphasised the J. Chairman Greensill) of the who said Committee the by, (Mr.
Surveyor, through to pressure prepare of work. had scheme been as requested by the Council some months that he ago would be able to and seemed unlikely find the time past to do so. months the position has th deteriorated. are Mains over- in some parts and feel We should town now make loaded move to get scheme started," he said. LARGE SCALE Mr.
Greensill added that such scheme would of necessity be' on be wise large scale. He a thought consultant to surit would to engage vey the town if any and give information was an opinion. available about a conference of local Asking authorities in a new sewerage Mid-Cheshire, scheme to Mr. cover F. the Morris said there might be whole of some development in that direction.
with The Council ought to Council consult and the County Council on the matter. Winsford Urban It was stated that members of tives of the County Council had disWinsford Council and representa. cussed sewerage matters some months ago, and Mr. T. W.
Brown said he understood that Major Waters. the consultant engineer, Wins- had in ford fact authority to survey their been appointed by the cistrict. On the proposition of Mr. Morris, the Committee decided to recommend that information on the in the ject district of should sewerage be obtained from the improvement Winsford Urban Council and the Cheshire County Council, further and dis- that the matter should be cussed at the next meeting. INFANTILE PARALYSIS BREAKS OUT AGAIN Some cases of infantile paralysis have been reported in Winsford this week, "The Chronicle' is informed.
The number of cases notified has not yet been revealed. Dr. W. S. Slater (Medical Officer) referred to cases of the disease occurring locally when he presented his report to the Health and Sewerage Committee of Middlewich Urban Council on Monday.
No cases had appeared to Middlewich, he said. Interviewed by a Chronicle reporter after the meeting. Dr. Slater agreed that several cases of infantile paralysis had been notified in Winsford. While agreeing that (Continued from Preceding Column) clouds of smoke shroud the streets and showers of smuts drift into shops and homes and spatter newly.
washed clothes. And net a word is said of how. far the Council has got in its effort to get the nuisance abated. The only conclusion to be drawn is that the problem has been put back in the pigeon hole in the hope that the long suffering public will say What's the use and forget all about it school manager feel As strongly about the preferential dary schools at the expense of the treatment meted out to the seconother institutions. Church schools in particular, both Catholic and nonCatholic, have been labouring under appalling difficulties since the beginning of the last war and are getting the very minimum of help now that vast sums are being spent on education, Broken playgrounds that are a constant source of danger, outworn school equipment, lack of teaching privacy, overlarge classes and insanitary lavatories are only a part of the tale that send teachers into despair and nullifies much of their work.
The secondary -chools staffs themselves. who once worked under such conditions. are the first to sympathise with their poorer brethren and would be very agreeable to sharing some of their new good fortune with them. It ie a poor sort of Socialism that makes such sharp distinctions between the children of one age-group and another, between Church schoois and Council schools. the Education authorities look into the matter fairly and see to it that the injustices are rectifled before the people get really angry about them.
The letter (in our correspondence column) from Mr. George Brown, drawing attention to the dangers of the Turnover Bridge, will be read with interest by the many motorists who have had occasion to drive that, way in bad weather. The bridge approaches seem to be properly sign-posted, but the "N' sign, indiscriminately used on other stretches of road. hardly conveys the pointed warning necessary just there. In greasy weather the camber of the road offers a dangerous surface to partly worn tyres and the proximity of the first telegraph pole to the road adds another danger.
A slight banking on the field side would do much to eliminate the chances of skidding and make for greater road safety. Too many mishaps have occurred at that corner already. In the County Police area last no fewer than 1,036 accidents I were caused by uncontrolled dogs on the high roads dogs allowed their freedom to roam at will and to endanger lives. At their meeting last week, the -Cheshire Road Safety Committee, led by Police Inspector A. Davies.
showed their determination to pursue legislation to compel people to control their dogs. One member remarked at the previous meeting that £5 licence would end the dog menace. This drastic measure would, however, impose an unfair penalty on respon- sible dog-owners. THUNDERBOLT DOWN THE CHIMNEY CATTLE WERE STRUCK by lightning at Wharton and thunderbolt hurtled down the chimnew of a house in Winford, during Wednesday night's The cattle, herd of pedigree Sherwin, Friesians, Nun belonging House to Farm, Mr. were grazing in a field when the lightning struck killing one animal and seriously injuring another.
This is the second time that the herd has been depleted by lightning, eight beasts having been killed in similar storm last year. Mr. S. Ollier, 29, was putting tools away after working in his garden when there was terrific crack and the spade was wrenched from his hand. Going into the living room of the house he found the floor covered with several inches of soot.
Further investigation revealed that a bedroom ceiling and wall had been cracked. Apparently a thunderbolt had passed down the chimney. which was also damaged. No one was inside the house at the time. WINSFORD STUDENT'S DISTINCTION Gaining two distinctions and first class award in the commercial course examinations the following Winsford the Evening Institute, N.
winter seasion of S. Preston won a first class group certificate and was placed third in the whole of the Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes. His success brings him a special prize. The full list of results achieved by pupils at the Institute are as follows: Society of Arts: BookRoyal (second year): N. S.
Preskeeping second c.ass. Englisa (first ton, year): K. Dilion. Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes: Prep. Bennett, u.
r.eel, M. Lilal, D. Sen. Tecnnical: (drst ciass): C. Greatorex, J.
Jonnson. n. Jonnson. (Second C.ass): N. Atuer on.
d. Lay. per, n. Anowles, C. S.ack, J.
Lay10r. Matne naucs, visuncuon: Bennett, D. Greatorex; (nrst ciass), G. r.eet, M. Gall, J.
K. Jonnson, C. Slack; (second c.ass Atperion, B. Capper, H. Taylor.
Drawing (urst ciass), Jonnson; C. Bennett, (secona d. Capper, G. Feet, ciass), N. AtherM.
ton, Gail, D. Greatorex, Johnson, C. Siack. Science (tirst class), C. Bennee, D.
Greatorex; B. Capper, (second G. Fleet, ciass). M. N.
Gil, J. Johnson, K. JohnAtherton, H. Knowles. C.
Slack. Group certificates: Atnerton. Bennett J. John- Cap. per, Fleet, Gill, S.ack.
Greatorex, son. R. sonnson, Prep. Sen. Commercial Mathematics (A) Stage (first 11: Commercial Harrop.
J. Ikin; (second class), J. Kennerley, Wa.ton. Elements of Accounts (Distinction, J. lkin: (drst class).
J. Kennerley; ton. (second English ((second c.ass), Harclass), J. Harrop, 1kin, Kenner.ey, Walton. rop, Geography (second class).
Harrop, Ikin, Kennerley, Waiton. Full Group Certificate: Harrop, Ikitt, Prep. Sen. Commercial (B) Kenner ey, Walton. Stage Il: Commercial Mathematics (Distinction), N.
S. Preston; Oakes. (second Engiisa class), S. Jones. G.
(first class), N. S. Preston; (second class), S. Jones, G. Oakes.
Shorthand Preston; (second (Distinction, class, 60 words), S. 50 words), N. Jones. First class Group Certificates and third in the whole of the Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes, N. Preston; (second class), S.
Jones. A): Shorthand, 80 words (first Separate subjects (Cierical course class), W. Brooks; (second class), S. Wilson. Book-keeping (second year), (second class), A.
Oakes, N. Preston. T. Redhead. GAS-LIGHTING MAY DISAPPEAR FROM STREETS OF MIDDLEWICH IN the near future Middlewich Urban Council will discuss and decide upon the type of street lighting to be used in the town in two years' time if a recommendation made by the Council's Health and Sewerage Committee on Monday is approved, Mr.
F. Costello (Sanitary Inspector) reported that the Couneil's lighting contract with the gas undertaking expired on September 1st, 1950. and asked for some guidance on future lighting policy so that schemes and quotations could, if necessary, be obtained. He pointed out that if the Council decided to go in for electric lighting along the trunk roads, they would be entitled to a grant from the Ministry. Should they wish to change completely over to electricity a big scheme would be necessary, involving a loan.
NO SECONDER Expressing opposition to capital expenditure on a switch to electric lighting at present, Mr. E. L. Earl moved that the contract with the gas undertaking should be renewed for a further three years, W. but Brown found no seconder.
Mr. T. remarked How can you do that when you have not got a quotation." Mr. Brown said the Council must put the machinery in motion almost at once, because if a new scheme was eventually decided upon it would have to be put in hand at the end of the next lighting season. FIGURES ESSENTIAL Figures were essential before the Council could make a decision on the matter.
said Mr. F. Morris. He successfully moved that the Committee should recommend the obtaining of quotation from the gas undertaking for further three years' contract, and the obtaining of information concerning the cost of a switch to electric lighting with details as to what grant. could be obtained for the purpose from the Ministry.
We must know how much the cost to us is going to be. We have to remember that we are dealing with two nationalised industries who do not care a hoot for us and are not worried whether they get our contract or not," he added. MOBBERLEY: M.P'& DEPUTATION REFUSED The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Silkin) and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. Tom Williams) have refused to meet deputation of Cheshire M.Ps.
to discuss the proposal to build a new town at Mobberley. Extension Of Urban Northwich Parliamentary Bill Preliminaries NORTHWICH URBAN COUNCIL Reconstruction and Development committee Clerk (Mr. H. Grantham), the Council Chairman (Mr. W.
J. Young), and the Chairman (Mr. of W. the D. Yarwood), should interview Development Committee London agents with view to promoting of a Private Bill in the House Commons for an extension of Northwich boundaries.
The decision was reached after on hearing the a procedure report to from be adopted since Mr. Grantham announcement House of the of Minister Commons of Health in the the on the Commission's activities. He (Mr. cessation of the Boundary Grantham) was firmly of the opinion that the way indicated by the Minister of Health--the promotion of a Private Bill--was the only reasonable way in which the Council development could obtain space for future Northwich Urban Council had reasonable and a adequate Private grounds Bill. He on which to promote deplored the time which had, to wasted all intents and purposes, been due to the Boundary Commission ceasing to function, but in a way he welcomed the issue which was now before the Authority.
It was realised from past experience when they had endeavoured to obtain extensions to their boundaries by negotiation, or bouring authorities, that they had attempted agreement with neighmet with little success. He suggested that the Committee should instruct him and its Committee and Council Chairmen to interview London agents and obtain from them information concerning the promotion of a Bill in the Louse of Commons. The preliminary report was essential before the Council finally decided to promote a Private Bill. There was another matter to be taken into consideration, and that' was the question of recent negotia- FLOWER DAY WAS A RECORD The Salvation Army Flower Appeal in the Winsford, Middlewich and districts early this month made a net profit of £31 which will go to the Winsford Corps new building fund. The flowers sold were supplied by John Groom's Crippleage.
Individual amoun's collected were: Senr. H. Cox Mrs, Cox Capt. Dennis Lieut. Cavanagh Major Hill Mrs.
J. Hatton Mrs. M. Warburton Miss Gladys Mills Mrs. Dunning Mr.
P. Stoneley Mrs. Bentley Mr. A. Kirk (secretary).
Mr. H. Stoneley Mrs, Harris Mrs. Goddier Miss May Sandbach Miss Freda Breeze Miss Glenis Hulse Mrs. Haspell and Miss C.
Oakes Total, £39 15s, expenses £8 2s. profit £31 13s. Senior Capt. Cox writes: "I would like, through your pages, to pass on word of sincere thanks to the people of Winsford, -Moulton and Middlewich for the generous in which they responded to the Appeal The result shows an increase few shillings over last year's record figure." MR. J.
R. CLARKE'S DISTINCTION Mr. James Rex Clarke, elder con of Mr. J. Clarke and the late Mrs.
Clarke. "Parkgate," Booth-lane, Middlewich, Saturday at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall awarded the degree of D.Ph. at Liverpool University. Mr. Clarke, an o'd scholar of Middlewich Council School, won scholarship to Sir John Deane's Grammar School, Northwich, where he matriculated with distinctions in chemistry, mathematics, electricity, and magnetism and stayed to gain the Higher School Certificate with distinction in chemistry, gaining also the Tate scholarship to Liverpool University and a County Exhibition At Liverpool University Clarke gained his B.Sc.
with first class honours in organic chemistry and was awarded a research scholarship. After being directed to the staff of British Insulated Cables, where he worked on synthetic resins for high temperature insulation Mr. Clarke returned to Liverpool University in 1946 to study under Professor A. Robertson He is now a member of the staff of the 1.C.1. Dye Stuffs Division Blackley.
Mr. Clarke married Miss Lydia Smallwood. daughter Middlewich of Mr. They live R. in Stretford ICE CREAM- 1 NORTHWICH Committee Urban on Tuesday decided to grant applications from seven people who wished to, be registered as sellers of ice cream in the town.
The Additional Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. Johnson) expiGined that under the Food and Drugs Act regulations there must be an adequie supply of hot water available wherever ice cream was sold. In one Instance the applicant had hot water available bu means of a kettle on an electric stove- but that could be considered adequate under the regulations. Sentence HARTFORD FITTER'S APPEAL In the Court of Criminal Appeal, Dublin, on Monday, the Chief Justice allowed an application by Cecil Robinson, Atter, Glendale, Hodge-lane, Hartford, to be present at the hearing of an application on his behalf for leave to appeal against the sentence of seven years' penal servitude passed on him in the Central Criminal Court, Dublin.
He had pleaded "Guilty" to charges in connection with the shooting of Miss Marie Doran, Churchtown, Rathgar, in a railway carriage on April 12th The date for the hearing of the application has not yet been fixed. decided on Tuesday that the tions with Winsford Council. There had been a meeting with Winsford Urban Council, and there had been an agreement that there should be joint application to the County Council under the Boundaries Commission Act. In fairness to the Winford representatives he thought they should be informed of what the Northwich Urban Authority decided to do. In answer to Mr.
C. J. C. Smith, Mr. Grantham added that he the facts for Northwich Urban Council's case spoke for them.
selves and no support was needed from any adjoining authority He suggested that if Northwich were try to help their case by asking for the support of any neighbouring authority, that support would detrimental to the Urban Council's case. They did not need anybody's support: Proposing that the Committee should act on the lines suggested the Clerk, Mr. C. J. C.
Smith said that if they were going to strike, the present was the time, otherwise boundary extensions to Northwich would never be achieved in their lifetime. Any delay might put them well down the list of authorities seeking extensions to their boundaries. In answer to a question by Mr. Whalley. Mr.
Grantham explained that the reason for consulting London agents was that the work involved in promoting a Private Bill was lengthy procedure. One had employ London agents, and in this case there was no alternative. Where they were helpful was in particular sessions for the Bill to submitted He was not suggesting that they should rest on the advice of the agents whether to promote the Bill or not. The proposal was agreed unanimously, and it was decided inform the Winsford Urban Council immediately of the decision. LATE NEWS BREAK IN THE DROUGHT The spell of drought was broken in England on Wednesday night by a thunderstorm, with sharp showers.
peals of thunder. and flashes of lightning which continued for most of the night. The rain was greatly welcomed by tarmers and horticulturists THE DOCKERS' STRIKE: STATE OF EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES A state of emergency to deal with the London docks strike was claimed by the King on Mondav and came into effect at midnight. He signed the Proclamation at a Privy Council meeting Shortly, after had been read in Houses of Parliament 19 regulations. having the effect of Ordere in Council were issued.
The Proclamation followed a decision of the dockers and stevedores to continue their unofficial stoppage arising out of their refusal to unload the Canadian ships Beaverbrae members of the Communist Canadian Seamen's Union. are OD Argomont some of whose 8631 strike Simultaneously with the announcement of the State of Emergency more than 2,000 troops together -ith 400 naval ratings and Royal Marines moved into the docks to discharge food. and perishables. NEARLY 14.000 DOCKERS STILL OUT Nearly 14,000 1 men were on strike at the London docks on Wednesday, and arrangements have been made to house more troops there. In the House of Commons, the King's message declaring a state of emergency at the London docks was discussed.
Mr. Attlee outlined the causes of the dispute and Mr. Eden and Sir H. Shawcross also spoke. 45 KILLED IN AIR CRASH Forty -five people, including party of 13 American journalists, were killed when a K.L.M.
airliner crashed near Bombay. METHODISTS AND TEMPERANCE The Methodist conference at Liverpool on Monday gave sideration to reports from committees on temperance and social welfare and on chapel affairs. The Rev. E. C.
Urwin, presenting the report on temperance and social welfare, said his committee had an some cases met with indifference or open hostility in temperance affairs. He wondered whether the challenge of "modification" was not sometimes merely justification for selfindulgence. A resolution was passed unanimously by the conference which noted "with deep disquiet tions of a serious decline in Methodist conviction against the beverage use of alcohol and an increased indifference to its harmful The Rev. N. F.
Hutcheroft plained of jack of support in the cir. cuits for the Church's campaign against drink. and spoke of "weakened conscience" and weddine festivities. FURNITURE Outstanding Bargains in Super Quality DECK CHAIRS GARDEN CHAIRS COUCH HAMMOCK in bright. rot-proof canvas JOHN LEACH, Ltd.
Market Street, CREWE Printed Chester Chronicle Associated Newspapers Limited, their 27. Brides Street, in the City and Published at their Library Building NORTHWICH SATURDAY. JULY 16th. 1949. a to be to be to to the outbreak gave cause for concern, he emphasised that there was no need for alarm It is not nearly so bad as the 1947 epidemic," he said.
Dr. Slater said he was to report on the outbreak to the Health Commit. tee of the Winsford Urban Council on Thursday. He preferred not to reveal the number of cases which have so far occurred until then. Asked if he had any advice to give to parents in the meantime, he said children should be kept out of crowded and stuffy places.
Dr. Slater added that the very hot weather of recent weeks was probably the chief cause of the outbreak. There is nothing would like better just now than a really good storm," he said. A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR MIDDLEWICH COUNCIL When seeking permission to build houses, local authorities normally have to put up a convincing case the Ministry of Health, and more often than not the number they ask to be approved is considerably down. It was with pleasant surprise, therefore, that members of Middlewich Urban Council Buildings Committee heard on Tuesday that the Ministry had offered to the authority 25 aluminium bungalows for the bousing of persons working for firms engaged in the export trade.
The Committee promptly decided to recommend the Council to accept the offer, and agreed that in the meantime the Ministry should be informed unofficially of the acceptance and told that the question of suitable sites would be immediately investigated. The Ministry desired the scheme to be started as quickly as possible, the Clerk (Mr. A. Goulden) said. He and the Surveyor had consulted as to possible sites.
The Surveyor (Mr. R. J. B. Wilkinson) said there was a site at Cledford crossing which would accommodate 14 bungalows.
view Several that members expressed the the Cledford site mentioned would be better used as a site for permanent houses. After the meeting had agreed provisionally to accept the offer, it was decided that the Surveyor should investigate the possibilities of other sites in the town and report back. SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY The Central Methodist Church Sunday School anniversary was held on Sunday, when the preacher was Mr. H. Arnold, Winnington.
A the Junior programme was given by and Primary Departments, and the "Beginners." The choir sang "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna," "Hour by Hour," I Can and Help Somebody," and "Now on Land Sea Descending." concluding with an evening vesper, "Our Parting Prayer." The primary choir sang "The Happy Chime. Junior scholars, Margaret Hopkins, June Ikin. Egerton. were Glenice the Goodies, and Joan soloists in 'Little Children, Praise the Saviour," and Olwyn Kennerley and Sylvia King were the soloists in To Music. Florence Bennion and Barbara Allco*ck sang "I heard the Voice of Jesus Say." The primary soloists were Sheila Deakin, Joyce Gillett, Jennifer Townhill, Billy Helling.
and Christine Towers. and there were recitations by Elizabeth Wrench, and Parry. The Beginners contribution was "Jesus, Friend of Little Children." The collections were taken by Malcolm Kennerley. Michael Burgess. Kenneth Burrows, David Wrench, Kathleen Norburn, Sylvia Kennerley, Mary Hassell, Florence Bennion, Beryl Burgess, and June Egerton.
The Juniors were trained by Mr. A. Kennerley, who was the conductor; the Primary scholars were trained by Miss F. Davies, and the Beginners by Miss F. Morgan and Miss E.
B. M. Hoole. The organist was Miss Haspell. The tendent (Mr.
O. Parry) presented Soripture examination certificates to Norburn, Margaret Hassell, Barbara Alco*ck, Malcolm Kennerley, Ian Parry, and Eric Sylt. I.
